Journal of Engineering Research

To address the high failure rate of reinforced concrete pipe culverts and the significant social and economic costs associated with traditional excavation repair methods, this study has developed a decision-making guidance for trenchless rehabilitation techniques based on defect characteristics. The research systematically identified six common types of defects—cracks, corrosion, joint fracture, joint misalignment, invert deterioration, and bedding voids—and classified their severity into three levels (minor, moderate, and severe) according to quantitative criteria. On this basis, the applicability of six mainstream trenchless rehabilitation techniques—grouting, shotcrete, cured-in-place pipe lining, slip lining, centrifugally cast concrete pipe lining, and pipe bursting—was comprehensively evaluated. The results indicate that minor defects are generally suitable for grouting technique; moderate defects can be flexibly addressed using semi-structural or full-structural rehabilitation techniques such as cured-in-place pipe lining; while severe defects require full-structural repair techniques such as slip lining or pipe bursting. Among these, the technical options for joint misalignment and bedding voids are relatively limited. This guidance provides a systematic basis for selecting appropriate techniques in engineering practice according to specific defect scenarios, though practical application requires multi-objective decision-making that also considers construction cost, design life, flow capacity, and environmental and traffic impacts.

Reinforced concrete culvert; Trenchless rehabilitation techniques; Decision-making guidance; Defect type